Finance Videos

Apr 2, 2013 | 03:32

U.S. Morning Call: Deals in the air: Nasdaq, FB, Verizon

We take a look at M&A activity surrounding Nasdaq, Facebook and Verizon.

TRANSCRIPT +

Good morning -- Tuesday let's dive right into markets US stock futures pointing to a hot start today. Many investors hoping for strong auto sales numbers to keep the momentum going. March may have been the strongest month for Detroit's automakers in almost five years. I have -- expects sales to con man at an annualized rate of fifteen point seven million. There's not much premarket activity for GM and -- this morning at the stocks that moved up steadily over the year. A second watch this morning health insurer Humana so knowing about 10% premarket with -- raising its price target over 100 dollars 93. The stock jumped another 8% yesterday when the US government agreed to increase the -- for insurers that offer Medicare by 3.3 percent and 2014. They reversed a previous cut announced in February after intense lobbying by the sector. Some insurers had even hinting at dropping their Medicare plans that the government did not back down. About fourteen million Americans are currently enrolled in the program. In stocks to watch today we've got a couple of deals brewing let's start with NASDAQ which has agreed to -- east speed from BGC partners. 759. Dollars in cash. He speed is an electronics trading platform for treasuries and the deal get NASDAQ access to one of the world's largest and most liquid cash markets. And NASDAQ is buying east -- at a time when treating treasuries might be at a cyclical low. Chairs of shares of BGC soaring 52% in the premarket. -- Friends as well in online dating website a source tells the blog that FaceBook considered the dating market to be quote. And e-commerce. Given their recent success of apps like Tinder crazy blind date and grouper. And -- are stuck to watch keep an eye -- shares of Verizon and AT&T today. The two reportedly working -- 245. Billion dollar break up -- for Vodafone. Allow Verizon to buy vodafone's stake in Verizon Wireless. AT&T would detain non US assets. But -- -- US shares up 5% on the news. As stocks rally in 2013 more IPOs are being priced at the high end of their range according to the Wall Street Journal. In the first quarter 36%. Of US IPOs were priced above that range that was the highest in any year since 2004. On the flip side less than one quarter IPOs this year have priced below expectations. Even better news is that companies that have gone public this year has held on to their gains. So what is the largest IPO since FaceBook has surged 20% since its debut. And Norwegian cruise lines a 514. Million dollar IPO has gained 55% since going public. The journal says the next to possibly benefit from this trend could be Taylor Morrison. The home -- said yesterday it plans to raise as much as 524. Million in -- trading debut next week. That's it for your Tuesday morning call remembered follow us on Twitter at Reuters Insider get -- great videos that Reuters dot com slash Reuters TV. And Lisa Bernhard. Is.

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